Nigeria
2008 Demographic and Health Survey
Key Findings
The 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was implemented by the National Population
Commission (NPC) and fielded from June to October 2008. ICF Macro, an ICF International Company, provided
technical assistance as well as funding to the survey through the MEASURE DHS programme, a USAID-funded
project providing support and technical assistance in the implementation of population and health surveys
in countries worldwide. Funding for the NDHS was provided by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Funding for the household
listing and additional fieldwork support was provided by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Additional information about the NDHS may be obtained from the headquarters of the National Population
Commission, Plot 2031 Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Zone 7 Wuse, PMB 0281 Abuja, Nigeria; Telephone: (234) 09 5239173; Fax: (234) 09 523-1024; Website: http://www.population.gov.ng.
Information about the DHS programme may be obtained from the MEASURE DHS Project, ICF Macro, 11785
Beltsville Drive, Suite 300, Calverton, MD 20705, USA; Telephone: 301-572-0200; Fax: 301-572-0999; E-mail: reports@
macrointernational.com; Website: http://www.measuredhs.com.
Recommended citation:
National Population Commission (NPC) and ICF Macro. 2009. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2008: Key
Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF Macro.
Cover photograph: © 2005 Babafunke Fagbemi, Courtesy of Photoshare
About the 2008 NDHS
The 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) is designed to provide data for monitoring the population
and health situation in Nigeria. The 2008 NDHS is the fourth Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Nigeria.
The objective of the survey is to provide up-to-date information on fertility, family planning, childhood mortality,
nutrition, maternal and child health, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and behaviour.
Who participated in the survey?
A nationally representative sample of more than 34,000 households were interviewed, including 33,385 women age
15–49 and in half of the households, 15,486 men age 15–59. This represents a response rate of 98% for households,
97% for women, and 93% for men. This sample provides estimates for Nigeria as a whole, for urban and rural areas,
for the 6 zones, and the 36 states, plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
NIGERIA
Niger
NORTH WEST
NORTH EAST
Benin
NORTH CENTRAL
SOUTH WEST
SOUTH SOUTH
SOUTH EAST
0
100
200
Cameroon
400 Kilometers
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Page 1
Household and Respondent Characteristics
Household composition
Households in Nigeria consist of an average of 4.4
people. Forty-five percent of household members are
children under age 15. Twenty percent of households
have foster children or orphans.
Housing conditions
Overall, 56% of households use an improved source of
drinking water. There are large differences, however, by
residence—75% of urban households use an improved
source of drinking water compared with 45% of rural
households. Nationwide, 27% of households have
access to an improved toilet facility; however, 31% have
no facility or use the bush or field. Eighty-five percent
of urban households have electricity compared with
31% of rural households.
© 2006 Opara Adolphus C., Courtesy of Photoshare
Ownership of goods
Currently, 74% of households in Nigeria own a radio.
Twenty-two percent of households own a bicycle.
There are large differences in ownership of some
household goods by residence. Sixty-nine percent of
urban households and 23% of rural households own a
television. More than three-quarters of households in
urban areas own a mobile phone compared with 35%
of rural households. Rural households are much more
likely to own agricultural land and farm animals than
urban households.
Orphanhood
Twelve percent of children under age 18 are not living
with either biological parent. Six percent are orphans
(one or both parents dead), and another 5% are
considered vulnerable children. Orphanhood ranges
from 4% of children in North East and North West
zones to 11% of children in South East zone.
Education of survey respondents
Many Nigerians have no formal education—36% of
women age 15–49 and 19% of men age 15–49. Only 9%
of women and 14% of men have more than secondary
education. Urban residents and those living in the
South West zone have the highest levels of education.
Three-quarters of women in the North West zone have
no formal education. Overall, 54% of women age 15–49
and 77% of men 15–59 are literate. This is an increase
from the 2003 NDHS when 48% of women and 73% of
men in the same age groups were literate.
Page 2
Education
Percent of women and men age 15–49 by highest
level of schooling attended or completed
Women
36
20
No
education
Men
19
Primary
20
36
9
More than
secondary
Secondary
47
14
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Fertility and Determinants
Total fertility rate (TFR)
Women in Nigeria have an average of 5.7 children. The
average number of children per woman ranges from
4.7 in urban areas to 6.3 in rural areas. Fertility has not
changed since the 2003 NDHS.
Fertility varies dramatically by zone. Women in
the South West zone have an average of 4.5 children
compared with 7.3 children per women in the North
West zone.
Fertility also varies with mother’s education and
economic status. Women who have more than
secondary education have an average of 2.9 children,
while women with no education have 7.3 children.
Fertility increases as household wealth* decreases. The
poorest women have almost twice as many children
as women who live in the wealthiest households (7.1
versus 4.0 children per woman).
Teenage childbearing
Overall, 23% of women age 15–19 are already mothers or
are pregnant with their first child. Teenage childbearing
is highest in the North West zone (45%) and lowest in
the South East zone (8%). Women with no education are
much more likely to have begun childbearing before
age 20 than women with secondary or higher education
(55% compared with 3%). Teenage childbearing also
decreases with increasing household wealth. Forty-six
percent of women age 15–19 in the poorest households
have begun childbearing compared with 5% of women
age 15–19 in the wealthiest households.
Total Fertility Rate by Zone
Births per woman
North West
7.3
North East
7.2
North Central
5.4
South West
4.5
South South
South East
4.7 4.8
Nigeria
5.7
Teenage Childbearing by Zone
Percent of women age 15–19 who have had a
live birth or are currently pregnant
North West
45%
North East
39%
North Central
22%
South West
9%
South
South East
South 8%
12%
Nigeria
23%
* Household wealth is calculated through household assets collected from DHS surveys—i.e., type of flooring; source of water; availability of electricity;
possession of durable consumer goods. These are combined into a single wealth index. They are then divided into five groups of equal size, or quintiles,
based on each household’s relative standing on the wealth index.
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Page 3
Age at first birth
Polygyny
The median age at first birth for all women age
25–49 is 20.4. Women in urban areas have their first
birth almost three years later than women in rural
areas (22.3 years versus 19.5 years).
One-third of currently married women age 15–49 have
one or more co-wives. Thirty-eight percent of women
in rural areas have co-wives compared with 22% of
women in urban areas. Polygyny is highest in the
North East zone (43%) and decreases with increasing
wealth and education.
Age at first marriage
Almost half of women in Nigeria are married by age
18; 1 in 5 are married by age 15. The median age at
first marriage is 18.3 for women age 25–49. Men marry
much later at about 26 years. Women in urban areas
marry four years later than women in rural areas (21.1
years versus 16.9 years). Women in the South East zone
marry more than seven years later than women in the
North West zone (22.8 years versus 15.2 years).
Age at first sexual intercourse
Overall, more than half of women age 25–49 and onequarter of men age 25–49 were sexually active by age
18. One in five women were sexually active by age 15.
Men start sexual activity later than women (median
age of 20.6 years for men and 17.7 years for women).
Women living in rural areas begin sexual activity
almost three years earlier than those living in urban
areas (16.5 years and 19.2 years). Women with more
than secondary education wait almost six years longer
to initiate sexual activity than those with no education.
The median age at first sexual intercourse is 15.4 in the
North West zone compared with 20.4 in the South East
zone.
Desired family size
Nigerian women want to have 6 children, on average.
Ideal family size is higher among women in rural areas
than urban areas (6.7 versus 5.2). Younger women,
those with secondary or higher education, and those
in the wealthiest households desire fewer children
than their counterparts. Women in the North East zone
want 8.1 children compared with women in the South
West zone who want 4.6.
Women’s Ideal Family Size
Mean ideal number of children
among all women 15–49
North West
8.0
North Central
5.7
South West
4.6
South South
East
South 5.5
5.2
North East
8.1
Nigeria
6.1
© Adrienne Cox, ICF Macro
Page 4
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Family Planning
Knowledge of family planning
About 7 in 10 women in Nigeria know at least one
modern method of contraception. Male condoms, the
pill, and injectables are the most well known methods,
with more than 50% of women recognizing each.
Almost all (95%) sexually-active, unmarried women
know a method compared to only 68% of currently
married women.
Current use of family planning
Overall, 10% of married women currently use a modern
method of family planning; an additional 5% are using
a traditional method. Injectables (3%) are the most
commonly used methods. More than 40% of sexuallyactive, unmarried women are using a modern method
of family planning—most commonly the male condom
(35%).
Use of modern family planning varies by residence
and zone. Modern methods are used by 17% of married
women in urban areas compared with 7% in rural areas.
Modern contraceptive use ranges from 3% of married
women in North West zone to 21% in South West zone.
Modern contraceptive use increases with women’s
education. Almost one-quarter (24%) of married
women with more than secondary education use a
modern method compared with 3% of women with
no education. Use of modern methods also increases
with household wealth. Three percent of women
in the poorest households use a modern method of
family planning compared with 22% of women in the
wealthiest households.
Family Planning
Percent of married women age 15–49
who use family planning
Any method
15
Any modern method
10
Injectables
3
Pill
2
Male condom
2
LAM
2
IUD 1
Traditional method
5
Source of family planning methods
Private sources, primarily private hospitals and clinics,
pharmacies, and chemists, provide contraceptives
to 60% of current family planning users, while the
public sector provides methods to 23% of users. The
pill and male condoms are most often received from
a private source, and injectables and IUDs are most
often received from a public source. Public and private
sources are approximately equal providers of female
sterilisation.
Trends in family planning use
Use of family planning has risen slightly since 2003
when 8% of currently married women used a modern
method of family planning. This is due to a small
increase in the use of injectables and male condoms.
Use of traditional methods has remained steady.
© 2006 Emmanuel Esaba Akpo, Courtesy of Photoshare
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Page 5
Need for Family Planning
Intention to use family planning
Exposure to family planning messages
Only about 1 in 5 currently married women (21%) intends
to use family planning in the future. Among those who
report that they do not intend to use contraception in
the future, their own opposition to family planning use
and the desire to have as many children as possible are
the most common reasons.
Four in ten women age 15–49 and 6 in 10 men age
15–49 have heard family planning messages on the radio.
Exposure to family planning messages is particularly
low in rural areas and among the poorest and less
educated individuals. Women and men in South West
and South East zones are most likely to be exposed to
family planning messages in the media.
Desire to delay or stop childbearing
One-fifth of married Nigerian women want no more
children. Another one-third (32%) want to wait at least
two years before their next birth. These women are
potential users of family planning.
Unmet need for family planning
Unmet need for family planning is defined as the
percentage of married women who want to space their
next birth or stop childbearing entirely but are not
using contraception. The 2008 NDHS reveals that about
20% of married women have an unmet need for family
planning—15% for spacing and 5% for limiting.
Missed opportunities
Among women who are not currently using family
planning, only 4% were visited by a fieldworker who
discussed family planning, and only 6% of women
who visited a health facility in the past year discussed
family planning. Overall, more than 90% of nonusers
did not discuss family planning with a fieldworker or
at a health facility.
Informed choice
Family planning clients should be informed about
the side effects of the method used, what to do if they
experience side effects, and told about other methods
that could be used. More than half of women received
this information the last time they began using a new
modern contraceptive method.
Exposure to Family Planning Messages
Percent of women and men age 15-49 who heard a family
planning message in the past few months
Women
59
Men
57
40
36
33
29
25
21
19
9
Radio
Page 6
Television
Newspapers/
magazines
Others
No messages
in media
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Mortality
Childhood mortality
Childhood mortality is decreasing in Nigeria. Currently,
75 children per 1,000 live births die before their first
birthday (40 per 1,000 before the age of one month and
35 per 1,000 between one and twelve months). Overall,
157 children per 1,000 live births, or about 1 child out
of 6, die before reaching age five. Infant mortality has
dropped 25%, from 99 deaths per 1,000 live births in
2003, and child mortality has also fallen slightly from
97 in 2003 to 88 in 2008.
Mortality rates differ by residence. The under-five
mortality rate for the 10-year period before the survey in
urban areas is 121 deaths per 1,000 live births compared
to 191 in rural areas. Under-five mortality ranges from
89 deaths per 1,000 live births in the South West zone to
222 in the North East zone.
As expected, childhood mortality drops with mother’s
education. Children of mothers with no education are
two to three times more likely to die before age five
than those whose mothers have more than secondary
education. Childhood mortality also decreases as
household wealth increases.
© 2007 Emmanuel ‘Dipo Otolorin, Courtesy of Photoshare
Trends in Childhood Mortality
2003-2008
1998-2003
1993-1998
199
Number of deaths
per 1,000 live births
97 99
187
157
113
75
97
88
Birth intervals
Spacing children at least 24 months apart reduces
the risk of infant death. In Nigeria, the median birth
interval is 31 months. However, about one-quarter (24%)
of infants in Nigeria are born less than two years after
a previous birth. Infants born less than two years after
a previous birth have particularly high infant mortality
rates (135 deaths per 1,000 live births compared with 44
for infants born four years or more after the previous
birth).
Infant
mortality
Child
mortality
Childhood Mortality by Birth Interval
Infant mortality
Under-five mortality
252
Number of
deaths per
1,000 live
births
168
135
123
76
<2 years
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Under-five
mortality
2 years
92
59
3 years
44
4+ years
Page 7
Maternal Health
Antenatal care
In Nigeria, 58% of women receive some antenatal care
(ANC) from a skilled provider, most commonly from a
nurse or midwife (30%) or a doctor (23%). Only 31% of
women in the North West zone received any ANC from
a skilled provider compared with 87% of women in the
South East and South West zones. Forty-five percent of
women had the recommended four or more ANC visits,
but only 16% of women had an antenatal care visit by
their fourth month of pregnancy, as recommended.
More than one-third of women (36%) received no
antenatal care.
© 2004 Clive Evian, Courtesy of Photoshare
Fifty-four percent of women took iron tablets or syrup
during their last pregnancy; 10% took intestinal parasite
drugs. Six in ten women (61%) who received ANC were
informed of the signs of pregnancy complications.
About half of women’s most recent births were
protected against neonatal tetanus.
Delivery and postnatal care
About one-third of births in Nigeria (35%) occur
in health facilities—20% in the public sector and
15% in private sector facilities. Sixty-two percent
of births occur at home. Home births are much
more common in rural areas (73%) than urban
areas (36%). Only 8% of women in the North West
zone gave birth in a health facility.
Overall, 39% of births were delivered by a skilled
provider (doctor, nurse/midwife, and auxiliary
nurse/midwife). Another 22% are assisted by
a traditional birth attendant; 1 in 5 births were
assisted by no one.
Postnatal care helps prevent complications after
childbirth. More than one-third of women (38%)
received a postnatal checkup within two days of
delivery. However, 56% of women did not receive
any postnatal care within 41 days of delivery.
Assistance During Delivery
Percent distribution of births in
the 5 years before the survey
No one
19%
Relative/
other
19%
Doctor
9%
Nurse/midwife
25%
Traditional birth
attendant
22%
39% of births were
delivered by a
skilled provider
Auxiliary
nurse/midwife
5%
Maternal mortality
The maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria is estimated to
be 545 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Page 8
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Child Health
Vaccination coverage
Childhood illnesses
According to the 2008 NDHS, 23% of Nigerian children
12–23 months received all recommended vaccines at any
time prior to the survey—one dose of BCG and measles
and three doses each of DPT and polio. This represents a
large increase in vaccination coverage since 2003, when
only 13% of children had received all vaccinations.
In the two weeks before the survey, 3% of children under
five had symptoms of an acute respiratory infection
(ARI), and 16% had a fever. About half of these children
were taken to a health facility or sought treatment from
a provider.
Vaccination coverage varies widely by residence and
zone. Four in ten children in urban areas are fully
vaccinated compared to only 16% in rural areas.
Vaccination coverage ranges from 6% in North West
zone to 43% in South East and South West zones.
Vaccination coverage increases dramatically with
wealth. Children in the wealthiest households are
ten times more likely than children from the poorest
households to be fully vaccinated (53% versus 5%).
Vaccination Coverage
Percent of children 12–23 months who
have received all basic vaccinations
North West
6%
North Central
26%
South West
43%
South South
South East
36% 43%
During the two weeks before the survey, 1 in 10
Nigerian children under five had diarrhoea. The rate
was highest (16%) among children 12–23 months. About
2 in 5 children with diarrhoea were taken to a health
facility or sought treatment from a provider. Children
with diarrhoea should drink more fluids, particularly
oral rehydration salts (ORS). Two-thirds of mothers
(66%) know about ORS packets. In the two weeks
before the survey, 31% of children with diarrhoea
were treated with ORS or recommended home fluids,
but 57% received less fluids or no fluids at all. Only
9% of children with diarrhoea were offered increased
fluids during the episode of diarrhoea. Overall, 29% of
children with diarrhoea received no treatment (from a
medical professional or at home).
North East
8%
Nigeria
23%
Overall, 29% of children have received no vaccinations.
The major reasons reported by caretakers for not
vaccinating their children are lack of information (27%),
fear of side effects (26%), and distance to the health post
(13%).
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
© 2006 James Shepherd, Courtesy of Photoshare
Page 9
Feeding Practices and the Nutritional Status
of Women and Children
Breastfeeding and complementary foods
Children’s nutritional status
Breastfeeding is nearly universal in Nigeria, with 97% of
children ever breastfed. On average, children breastfeed
until the age of 18 months. WHO recommends that
children receive nothing but breast milk (exclusive
breastfeeding) for the first six months of life. Only 13%
of children under six months are exclusively breastfed.
Infants should not be given water, juices, other milks,
or complementary foods until six months of age, yet
87% of Nigerian infants under six months receive
complementary liquids or foods.
The NDHS measures children’s nutritional status by
comparing height and weight measurements against
an international reference standard. According to the
2008 NDHS, 41% of children under five are stunted,
or too short for their age. This indicates chronic
malnutrition. Stunting is more common in rural areas
(45%) than urban areas (31%). Stunting ranges from
22% in the South East zone to 53% in North West zone.
Wasting (too thin for height), which is a sign of acute
malnutrition, is less common (14%). Almost one-quarter
(23%) of Nigerian children are underweight, or too thin
for their age.
Complementary foods should be introduced when
a child is six months old to reduce the risk of
malnutrition. In Nigeria, three-quarters of children 6–9
months are eating complementary foods in addition to
breastfeeding.
The Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices
recommend that breastfed children 6–23 months be fed
from three or more food groups at least twice a day for
children 6–8 months and at least three times a day for
children 9–23 months. Nonbreastfed children should
receive milk or milk products and foods from four or
more food groups at least four times a day. Overall,
35% of breastfed children age 6–23 months are fed with
all three IYCF practices compared with only 16% of
nonbreastfed children.
Children’s nutritional status has changed very little
since the 2003 NDHS.
Stunting in Children
Percent of children under 5 classified as stunted
(low height for age)
North West
53%
North East
49%
North Central
44%
South West
31%
South South
South East
31% 22%
Nigeria
41%
© 2006 Emmanuel Esaba Akpo, Courtesy of Photoshare
Page 10
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Women’s nutritional status
The 2008 NDHS also took weight and height
measurements of women age 15–49. Twelve percent of
Nigerian women are too thin, but 22% are overweight or
obese. The proportion of overweight women is almost
twice as high in urban areas as in rural areas (31%
compared with 17%) and increases with age, education,
and wealth.
Vitamin A and iron supplementation
Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals
required for good health. Vitamin A helps prevent
blindness and infection and is particularly important
for children and new mothers. Iron is also important
for pregnant women and children who are the most at
risk for iron deficiency. A lack of iron (also known as
anaemia) causes fatigue and decreased resistance to
infection.
Women’s Nutritional Status
Percent distribution of women age 15-49
Thin
12%
Normal
66%
Overweight
16%
Obese
6%
In the 24 hours before the survey, 70% of children 6–35
months ate fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A, and
58% ate foods rich in iron. One-quarter (26%) of children
6–59 months received a vitamin A supplement in the
six months prior to the survey, and 16% were given iron
supplements in the last seven days.
Only 1 in 4 women received a vitamin A supplement
postpartum. Pregnant women should take iron tablets
or syrup for at least 90 days during pregnancy to
prevent anaemia and other complications. Overall, only
15% of women took iron tablets or syrup for 90 days or
more during their last pregnancy, as recommended.
Adequate iron supplementation during pregnancy was
lowest in North West zone, where only 5% of pregnant
women took iron tablets for 90 or more days.
© 2006 Shehu Danlami Salihu, Courtesy of Photoshare
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Page 11
Malaria
Household ownership of mosquito nets
According to the 2008 NDHS, 17% of households have
a mosquito net, and 8% have an insecticide-treated net
(ITN). Still, this marks an increase since 2003 when
only 2% of households had an ITN.
Use of mosquito nets by children
Overall, 6% of children under five slept under an ITN
the night before the survey. Among zones, use of ITNs
by children ranges from a low of 4% to a high of 11%. Use
is not consistent even in households that own mosquito
nets; only half of children living in households that
owned an ITN actually slept under an ITN the night
before the survey.
Although children’s use of ITNs continues to be low, it
has increased in recent years, from only 1% in 2003 to
6% in 2008.
Four percent of women age 15–49 and 5% of pregnant
women age 15–49 slept under an ITN the night before
the survey. Use of ITNs by pregnant women is low
across all zones, ranging from 3% in North Central and
South West zones to 7% in South South zone. ITN use
among pregnant women has also increased since 2003.
Trends in Ownership and Use of
Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs)
2008
Percent
8
2
Households with
at least one ITN
Page 12
6
1
Children under 5
who slept under
an ITN the night
before the survey
North West
4%
North Central
4%
South West
5%
South
South East
South 11%
9%
North East
4%
Nigeria
6%
Use of antimalarial drugs
Use of mosquito nets by women
2003
Use of ITNs by Children
Percent of children under 5 who slept
under an ITN the night before the survey
5
Malaria during pregnancy contributes to low birth
weight and to infant mortality. It is recommended
that pregnant women receive at least two doses of the
antimalarial drug SP/Fansidar, Amalar, or Maloxine
as intermittent preventive treatment (IPT). Overall,
8% of pregnant women received one of these drugs
during an ANC visit, and 5% received two doses of the
antimalarial drug.
Among children under five years who had fever in the
two weeks before the survey, one-third (33%) were given
antimalarial drugs, and 15% were given antimalarial
drugs the same day or the day following the onset of
fever. The large majority of children who received an
antimalarial received chloroquine.
1
Pregnant women
who slept under
an ITN the night
before the survey
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Women’s Empowerment
Gender-Based Violence
Employment
Experience with violence
According to the 2008 NDHS, 7 in 10 married women
age 15–49 (71%) are employed compared with almost all
married men (99%). Seventy-one percent of employed
women and 56% of employed men receive cash, while
17% of employed women and 30% of employed men are
not paid at all.
In Nigeria, 28% of women age 15–49 have experienced
physical violence since age 15; 15% experienced
violence in the past 12 months. These women report
that their husband or partner is the person most often
committing the violence. Seven percent of women age
15–49 have ever experienced sexual violence.
Participation in decisionmaking
Physical violence varies by women’s background
characteristics. Women in urban areas are more
likely than their rural counterparts to report having
experienced physical violence since age 15. A greater
proportion of women living in South South zone (52%)
have experienced physical violence compared to women
in North East (20%) and North West (13%) zones.
In general, Nigerian women have limited
decisionmaking power in their households. Only 38%
of women reported that they make decisions about
major household purchases on their own or jointly
with their husband. About half of women participate
in decisions about their own health care and in making
daily purchases.
Women’s empowerment and health
Women who participate in household decisions
are more likely to use family planning, want fewer
children, and are much more likely to receive antenatal
care, delivery care, and postnatal care than women
who do not participate in household decisions.
Attitudes towards wife beating and refusing
sex
More than two-fifths of women (43%) and almost onethird of men (30%) agree that a husband is justified in
beating his wife for certain reasons. Going out without
telling him and neglecting the children are the two
most commonly cited justifications for wife beating
among both women and men.
About half of women and men agree that a wife is
justified in refusing to have sex with her husband for all
three reasons suggested (husband has an STI, husband
has sex with other women, and she is tired or not in the
mood). However, almost half of men also believe that
if a wife refuses the husband sex, the husband has the
right to get angry and reprimand her.
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Women who are married to men who drink alcohol
often or display high levels of marital control are much
more likely to experience physical or sexual violence
committed by their husband than women whose
husbands do not drink and are not controlling.
Female Genital Cutting
Three-fifths of Nigerian women have heard of female
circumcision, or female genital cutting (FGC). Thirty
percent of women are circumcised. Younger women
are less likely to be circumcised than older women. In
addition, 62% of women who have heard of FGC believe
that the practice should be discontinued.
Page 13
HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviour
Knowledge
Almost 90% of Nigerian women and 94% of men have
heard of HIV or AIDS. However, less than half (48%) of
women 15–49 and about two-thirds of men 15–49 (69%)
know that HIV can be prevented by using condoms and
by limiting sex to one faithful partner. HIV prevention
knowledge has changed slightly since 2003, when 45%
of women and 63% of men knew that using condoms
reduced the risk of HIV transmission.
About half of women (52%) and 59% of men age 15–49
know that HIV can be transmitted by breastfeeding.
Only 28% of women and 39% of men know that the
risk of mother-to-child transmission can be reduced by
taking special drugs during pregnancy.
Many Nigerians still have misconceptions about HIV
and AIDS. Only two-thirds of women and threequarters of men know that a healthy-looking person
can have HIV. Less than 60% of women know that
HIV cannot be transmitted by mosquito bites or by
supernatural means.
Attitudes
Knowledge of HIV Prevention
Percent of women and men age
15–49 who know that the risk of
getting HIV can be reduced by:
53
Using condoms
72
68
Limiting sex to one
uninfected partner
83
Using condoms AND
limiting sex to one
uninfected partner
48
69
Mother-to-Child Transmission
Percent of women and men
age 15–49 who know that:
52
HIV can be transmitted
by breastfeeding
Transmission can be
reduced by mother
taking special drugs
during pregnancy
59
28
39
Women
Men
Sixty percent of women and 74% of men say they are
willing to take care of a family member with HIV, and
about 60% say they would not want to keep secret that
a family member is HIV-positive. However, less than
half say that they would buy fresh vegetables from
an HIV-positive shopkeeper. One-third of women
and almost half of men age 18–49 agree that children
age 12–14 should be taught about using a condom to
prevent HIV.
© 2006 Kunle Ajayi/Daily Independent, Courtesy of Photoshare
Page 14
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Multiple sexual partners and condom use
HIV and youth
On average, women age 15–49 have 1.6 sexual partners
in their lifetime compared with men age 15–49 who
have an average of 4.3 lifetime partners. In the 2008
NDHS, 1% of women and 15% of men who had sex in
the past 12 months had two or more partners during
that time. Of those who had multiple partners, 23% of
women and 33% of men used a condom during their
last sexual intercourse.
Overall, 22% of women age 15–24 and 33% of men age
15–24 have comprehensive knowledge of HIV and
AIDS1. About one third of young women (37%) know
a condom source compared with more than two-thirds
of young men (68%). Only 8% of young women in North
West zone know a condom source compared with 65%
of young women in South West zone.
HIV testing
Despite the fact that 49% of women and 65% of men
know where to get an HIV test, the majority of
Nigerians have never been tested for HIV. Fifteen
percent of women and 14% of men have ever been tested
and received their results. In the 12 months before the
survey, 7% of both women and men took an HIV test
and received their results. Among women, HIV testing
in the last 12 months ranges from 2% in North East and
North West zones to 14% in South East zone.
Seven percent of women and men age 15–24 have been
tested for HIV and received their results in the past 12
months. Testing is most common in South East and
South South zones.
Only 13% of women with a live birth in the past two
years were tested for HIV during an ANC visit and
received the results. Again, women in South East zone
were most likely to be tested (35%).
Previous HIV Testing among Young Women
Percent of women age 15–24 who
have been tested for HIV and received
the results in the past 12 months
North West
2%
North Central
5%
South West
9%
South South
South East
11% 23%
North East
3%
Nigeria
7%
© 2006 Kunle Ajayi, Courtesy of Photoshare
1
Comprehensive knowledge means knowing that consistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse and having just one uninfected partner can
reduce the risk of getting HIV, knowing that a healthy-looking person can have HIV, and rejecting the two most common local misconceptions about HIV
transmission and prevention.
2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Page 15
Key Indicators
Total
Fertility
Total fertility rate
Women age 15–19 who are mothers or now pregnant (%)
Median age at first birth for women age 25–49 (years)
Married women (age 15–49) wanting no more children (%)
Mean ideal number of children for women 15–49
5.7
23
20.4
20
6.1
Family Planning
Current use of any modern method (currently married women 15–49) (%)
Currently married women with an unmet need for family planning1 (%)
10
20
Maternal and Child Health
Women who gave birth in the past 5 years who received antenatal care from a skilled provider2 (%)
Births assisted by a skilled provider (%)
2
Children 12–23 months fully vaccinated3 (%)
Children 12–23 months with no vaccinations (%)
58
39
23
29
Nutrition
Children under 5 years who are stunted (moderate or severe) (%)
Children under 5 years who are wasted (moderate or severe) (%)
Women 15–49 who are moderately or severely thin (%)
Women 15–49 who are overweight or obese (%)
41
14
4
22
Childhood Mortality
(Figures are for the ten-year period before the survey, except for the national rate, in italics, which represents the five-year period before the survey;
figures are in number of deaths per 1,000 live births)
Infant mortality (between birth and first birthday)
Under-five mortality (between birth and fifth birthday)
75
157
Malaria
Households with at least one insecticide-treated net (ITN) (%)
Children under 5 who slept under an ITN the night before the survey (%)
Pregnant women who slept under an ITN the night before the survey (%)
Pregnant women who received 2+ doses of SP/Fansidar as IPT during antenatal care
8
6
5
5
HIV and AIDS-related Knowledge
Knows ways to reduce the risk of getting HIV:
Having one sex partner (women 15–49/men 15–49) (%)
Using condoms (women 15–49/ men 15–49) (%)
Knows HIV can be transmitted to infant by breastfeeding (women 15–49/men 15–49) (%)
Knows risk of MTCT can be reduced by mother taking special drugs during pregnancy (women 15–49/men 15–49) (%)
68/83
53/72
52/59
28/39
Women’s Experience of Violence
Ever experienced violence since age 15 (women 15–49) (%)
28
Experienced physical or sexual violence by husband/partner (ever-married women 15–49) (%)
18
Female Circumcision
Circumcised (women 15–49) (%)
30
Currently married women who do not want any more children or want to wait at least two years before their next birth but are not currently using a method of family planning. 2 Skilled provider
includes doctor, nurse/midwife, or auxiliary nurse/midwife. 3 Fully vaccinated includes BCG, measles, and three doses of DPT and polio (excluding polio vaccine given at birth).
1 Residence
Zone
Urban
Rural
North
Central
North
East
North
West
South
East
South
South
South
West
4.7
12
22.3
25
5.2
6.3
29
19.5
17
6.7
5.4
22
20.0
20
5.7
7.2
39
18.2
13
8.1
7.3
45
18.3
10
8.0
4.8
8
23.6
28
5.5
4.7
12
21.4
27
5.2
4.5
9
22.7
32
4.6
17
19
7
21
11
19
4
18
3
21
12
18
16
26
21
20
84
65
38
18
46
28
16
33
65
43
26
23
43
16
8
33
31
10
6
49
87
82
43
17
70
56
36
10
87
77
43
13
31
11
3
31
45
15
4
17
44
9
2
21
49
22
7
13
53
20
6
15
22
9
1
30
31
8
2
27
31
9
3
28
67
121
95
191
77
135
109
222
91
217
95
153
84
138
59
89
9
7
5
8
8
5
5
4
7
4
3
7
7
4
6
3
8
4
4
4
10
11
6
5
10
9
7
6
6
5
3
6
75/87
63/78
65/63
41/46
64/81
47/69
45/57
21/34
62/81
48/74
50/66
31/36
62/82
39/72
40/52
29/52
66/80
46/66
34/48
22/40
78/88
61/76
70/67
27/38
73/89
65/78
59/67
35/36
67/82
59/73
67/59
28/34
30
26
31
20
13
30
52
29
18
19
26
17
7
24
39
14
37
26
11
3
20
53
34
53